May 7, 2024
The Community Health Corner
Submitted by Stephanie Gutierrez
The National Extension Framework for Health Equity and Well-being recommends using community development strategies and health literacy programs to ensure that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. The following resources help us improve well-being for all, and achieve Healthy Kansas 2030 and Healthy People 2030 objectives.
Improving Access to Medicaid: The National Immigration Law Center published the report Improving Access to Medicaid for People with Limited English Proficiency. This summary presents recommendations for both state Medicaid agencies and HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve language access in Medicaid to promote participation in and utilization of the Medicaid program by everyone who is eligible.
Changing Perceptions of Palliative Care: The National Academies Roundtable on Quality Care for People with Serious Illness will host a public 3-part webinar series, “Changing Public Perceptions to Build Awareness, Knowledge, and Uptake of Palliative Care: An Evidence-based Approach,” in May and June 2024 to explore the use of evidence-based strategies to improve public outreach about palliative care. The first webinar in the series will explore public misperceptions about palliative care and the impact on access to palliative care. Interested attendees should register for each session: May 20, May 30, and June 13. The events will be accessible via live webcast. Register here.
Protecting Americans from Heat Exposure: The CDC, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS), launched a new Heat and Health Initiative to protect Americans from heat exposure. The new initiative has three resources, which combined give proactive actions people can take to protect themselves: stay cool; stay hydrated; know the symptoms. First, the HeatRisk Forecast Tool, developed by both CDC and NOAA, provides a seven-day heat forecast nationwide that tells you when temperatures may reach levels that could harm your health. Second, CDC’s HeatRisk Dashboard, a consumer-friendly product, integrates the Heat Risk Forecast Tool data with other information, including details on local air quality, to inform the public on how best to protect themselves when outdoor temperatures are high and could impact their health. Third, newly developed CDC clinical guidance helps clinicians keep at-risk individuals safe when temperatures rise.
For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu